ERA

Apr 30 2026POLITICS

Campus Voices: Why Free Speech Matters

The hearing in Washington focused on keeping college campuses open places for debate. A Utah congressman said that when students stop talking to each other because they fear ridicule, learning suffers. He pointed out that many students admit to silencing themselves or even shouting down speake

reading time less than a minute
Apr 30 2026BUSINESS

C. H. Robinson Keeps Moving Forward While Workers Shrink

In the latest quarter, C. H. Robinson’s North American Surface Transport team saw its staff fall from 4, 970 to 4, 752 employees. The overall company workforce also dipped, dropping to 11, 705 from 12, 085 a quarter earlier. Revenue growth barely kept pace with rising transport costs, leaving the g

reading time less than a minute
Apr 30 2026WEATHER

California’s Summer: What to Expect When Weather Forecasts Can’t Be Sure

California’s summer weather for June to August looks set to lean warmer than usual, but don’t expect a clear trend in rain. The National Weather Service’s latest outlook calls it “equal chances” for precipitation, meaning anything—from dry patches to sudden downpours—could happen. The forecast relie

reading time less than a minute
Apr 30 2026TECHNOLOGY

The rise and fall of a forgotten tech star

Back in the late 90s, a bulky but reliable plug took over creative workspaces. FireWire looked clunky compared to USB, but it worked effortlessly—no messy driver installs, no guesswork. Musicians, video editors, and even Mac users relied on it to move data fast. While USB struggled with simple tasks

reading time less than a minute
Apr 30 2026EDUCATION

Reading early, dreaming big: How New York invests in kids' futures

Half of New York City students in third to eighth grade can’t read at grade level. That’s a problem because reading isn’t just about passing tests. It’s about opening doors. When kids read, they don’t just learn words—they build worlds in their minds. They start to see themselves differently. They g

reading time less than a minute
Apr 29 2026SCIENCE

Root Smells Draw Pest Beetles When Corn Is Chewed

In the soil below a corn plant, tiny chemicals called small lipophilic molecules can change how insects behave. Scientists wanted to see if eating corn leaves and roots at the same time would make these chemicals more attractive to a common pest, the wireworm. They grew corn in pots and exposed it t

reading time less than a minute
Apr 29 2026TECHNOLOGY

Meta Faces EU Test Over Teen Access

The European Union has called out Meta for not stopping kids under 13 from joining Facebook or Instagram, even though the platforms say they’re only for people older than that. The EU’s top officials say Meta lacks solid tools to stop children from signing up and doesn’t do enough to find and del

reading time less than a minute
Apr 29 2026SCIENCE

Brain Gene Patterns Reveal Shared and Unique Paths in Parkinson‑Like Diseases

A new study examined the gene activity in nearly a thousand brain samples from people who had died with Parkinson’s disease, dementia with Lewy bodies, multiple system atrophy, progressive supranuclear palsy, corticobasal degeneration, Alzheimer’s disease or no brain disease. The researchers used a

reading time less than a minute
Apr 29 2026ENVIRONMENT

Why oak trees struggle to grow in Mediterranean forests

Mediterranean oak forests face a tough challenge: acorns rarely survive long enough to become new trees. A study in a protected area in Italy showed that most acorns disappeared within days after being planted, eaten by animals like mice and jays. The researchers tested four oak species, from large

reading time less than a minute
Apr 29 2026TECHNOLOGY

AI in Business: Smoother Workflows, Clearer Control

Businesses often juggle messy spreadsheets, approvals, and payroll while trying to spot problems early. Now, companies are embedding AI agents directly into the tools they already use—like accounting software and HR systems—to handle routine tasks without losing transparency. Instead of just spittin

reading time less than a minute